Free Trace's Temptation (RARE Series, #3) by Dawn Sullivan Page A

asked, “Are you one of Trace’s teammates?”  Gently, Jinx shook his head.
    “No, Jinx isn’t.  But I am,” Jade rushed to assure the woman as Gypsy started to scoot back in fear.  “My name is Jade, Gypsy.  And I want to thank you for helping my mate through this horrible ordeal.” 
    “This is all happy and wonderful,” Flame interjected from her position by the stairs, “But I vote you grab the keys from the dead guy, unlock the prisoners, and we get the hell out of here.”
    “Agreed,” Jinx said.  Moving swiftly, he unhooked the keys from the belt on one of the guards and after finding the right key, he unlocked Gypsy’s door.  Moving to the next cell, he unlocked it and threw the keys at the prisoner.  “Unlock the rest of the cells down here before you leave this room,” he ordered.  “You will not leave until that is done.”
    As the severely injured man managed to crawl out of the cell and move to the next one, Jinx went back to Gypsy and gently lifted her into his arms.  “Can you walk?” he asked as he glanced over to see Trace had made it to his feet with Jade’s help.  Meeting Jinx’s eyes, Trace growled, “Let’s go.”
    “What about Sari?” Gypsy whispered as she laid her head tiredly against Jinx’s shoulder.  “We have to get Sari.”
    “Already being taken care of,” Jinx responded as they headed up the stairs, Flame taking the lead.

Chapter 9
    A ngel and Nico swiftly cleared room after room on the second floor.  There was no sign of Sari on the first floor, and so far none on the second floor either.  “Shit,” Nico yelled as they heard the sound of a helicopter on the roof.  As Angel opened the door to what looked like the master bedroom, they quickly cleared the room together before running to the doors by the balcony.  Do you have eyes on the target? Angel demanded as she peeked through the curtains covering the large windows.  Do not let him get on the chopper.  I repeat, do not let him get on that damn chopper.  You take him out!
    On it boss, was Rikki’s quiet response right before she took one shot, quickly followed by another.  Two down.  I don’t have a shot on the third.
    Got him, Storm said as she took out the third man.  All men on the roof are down.
    Hearing a soft whimper, Angel swung around in the direction of the noise and quickly closed the distance to the closed bathroom door.  Knocking softly she called out, “Sari.  Sari, honey, my name is Angel.  Trace and Gypsy sent me to get you out of here.”  Angel frowned as she heard the soft whimper again, but no other response. 
    Slowly Angel opened the door, afraid of what she would find on the other side.  Hiding in the bathtub, a large kitchen knife in one hand, was a young, terrified girl.  She was naked and shaking so hard Angel was worried she might accidentally cut herself.  Stay back, Nico, she whispered as she cautiously moved toward the child.  There is no danger in here.  Just a scared child.  Find me some clothes for her, quickly. 
    Kneeling down on the floor in front of the tub, Angel smiled gently at the girl.  “You are Sari, right?” she asked even though she knew this was Gypsy’s sister.  “You’re going to be okay, Sweetheart.  I promise.  I’m here to take you home.”
    Sari shook her head sadly, her beautiful dark brown eyes filling with tears.  “I don’t have a home anymore,” she whispered in a tortured voice.  “That asshole took it from me.  He took everything from me.”
    “Not everything,” Angel responded as she reached out and gently removed the sharp knife from Sari’s fingers.  “You still have Gypsy.”
    Eyes widening, Sari rasped, “Gypsy’s still alive?”  Grasping the side of the tub, she moved to her knees and then painfully pulled herself up until she was standing, leaning back against the wall.  There were bruises covering the majority of Sari’s body and Angel was worried she might have internal damage the way